How do I change default text message recipient from email to phone number on iPhone?

New text message defaults to recipients email address instead of her iphone number. How do I change that? I have my default in Message to my iPhone


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Posted on Mar 20, 2025 8:34 AM

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Posted on Mar 20, 2025 9:04 AM

markoebert wrote:

New text message defaults to recipients email address instead of her iphone number. How do I change that? I have my default in Message to my iPhone

Only the recipient can change that. The need to go to Settings>Apps>Messages (or Settings>Messages on phones that have iOS 15 or earlier). Then go to Send & Recieve and select the mobile number/email addresses where they want to receive iMessages.


Note, if your friend has an Android phone and an iPad/Mac, iMessages will get sent to their Apple Account email.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 20, 2025 9:04 AM in response to markoebert

markoebert wrote:

New text message defaults to recipients email address instead of her iphone number. How do I change that? I have my default in Message to my iPhone

Only the recipient can change that. The need to go to Settings>Apps>Messages (or Settings>Messages on phones that have iOS 15 or earlier). Then go to Send & Recieve and select the mobile number/email addresses where they want to receive iMessages.


Note, if your friend has an Android phone and an iPad/Mac, iMessages will get sent to their Apple Account email.

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How do I change default text message recipient from email to phone number on iPhone?

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